We've got to do a better job recruiting Memphis!

#1
Blood Runs Orange

Blood Runs Orange

The wait and see approach
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#1
Rivals.com Prospect Rankings

I was just looking at this TN state prospect rankings on Rivals and noticed that 7 of TN's top 10 football prospects this year are from Memphis. What's worse, not only are none of them committed to us, but several don't even have us in the "schools in the running" lists. I realize that after the top 7 or 8 the talent appears to drop off somewhat but still.

What is the reason for this? I grew up outside of Knoxville but have lived in Memphis for the last 5 years, and I am very aware of the average East Tennesseean's opinion of Memphis. Are Memphis kids aware of this & this is what keeps us from recruiting this area better?

I really wish this would change. Our state has a dearth of HS football talent compared to some other southern states, and Memphis is by far the best city in our state for producing athletes. I know we are still recruiting Brunetti, but I hope Kiffin & Co. can change this trend because I hate seeing this kids committed to LSU & Bammer!
 
#4
#4
Maclin was an LSU lock, and we could still end up with Brunetti.

I don't think we've recruited anyone else.
 
#6
#6
tennessee391 said:
Maclin was an LSU lock, and we could still end up with Brunetti.

I don't think we've recruited anyone else.
Click to expand...

Why was Maclin a lock to LSU & why shouldn't he have been interested in UT?

Also, what about this Malone kid? We offered him, but he ended up at Bama?

It goes back to Marlon Brown last year as well (although we still got some good freshmen WRs)

I don't expect us to lock down every talented prospect in Memphis, just think we could be doing a better job than we are currently.
 
#7
#7
Maclin's dad played with Coach Porter at LSU, they go way back.

Malone was recruited by our previous staff, current staff has no interest.

I'm not saying it couldn't improve, but I don't think it's that bad.
 
#9
#9
Blood Runs Orange said:
Our state has a dearth of HS football talent compared to some other southern states...
Click to expand...

haha, You do not know what you're talking about.

Tennessee does not have a "dearth" of HS football talent. Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana all are far deeper top to bottom in HS football talent. Finding a big time recruit in TN is a rarity. Patrick Turner was over rated. Chris Donald is a redshirt sophomore at UT (5-star) and can't break into the 3rd string in our LB corps. He's been moved to DE for 3rd down passing situations only because all he knows to do is run fast towards a QB.

Al Wilson's come around every 10-15 years in TN. Lane Kiffin does not care about TN football recruits just because they are from this state (especially Memphis --- Memphis people hate UT). UT needs to recruit nationally, which is what we're doing. Fulmer was good at it during the mid to late 90s, thus his success.

Peyton Manning wasn't from Tennessee.:good!:
 
#10
#10
When you grow up in Memphis you get to see Arkansas,Ole Miss, Miss St.,Texas, Oklahoma,and LSU and highlights from the SEC West games not only in football but also in Basketball regularly.
( Knoxville and Chattanooga fans don't see much of those teams on TV so it works both ways.Except there is more blue chip talent in Memphis year in and year out)

Young fans grow up loving one of the Schools they get to watch all the time. They wear their jerseys to sleep and know all about the coaches and favorite players. They dream of one day being great enough to follow in their favorite players footsteps. This is why it is so difficult. Not to mention their friends and family root for those teams also and want to watch you play on TV!

CLK has promised to find a way to get it done anyway!
His plan is to win so much they will see UT on TV lots more in the future. Everyone loves a winner! The mission has begun and we are right on pace to "put a fence around the state of Tennessee!" just give it time.:eek:k:
 
#11
#11
dont forget, many of these prospects have been hearing from other schools for a couple years. they might have only heard from Kiffin and his full staff a couple months
 
#12
#12
MrBamSeydu said:
haha, You do not know what you're talking about.

Tennessee does not have a "dearth" of HS football talent. Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana all are far deeper top to bottom in HS football talent. Finding a big time recruit in TN is a rarity. Patrick Turner was over rated. Chris Donald is a redshirt sophomore at UT (5-star) and can't break into the 3rd string in our LB corps. He's been moved to DE for 3rd down passing situations only because all he knows to do is run fast towards a QB.

Al Wilson's come around every 10-15 years in TN. Lane Kiffin does not care about TN football recruits just because they are from this state (especially Memphis --- Memphis people hate UT). UT needs to recruit nationally, which is what we're doing. Fulmer was good at it during the mid to late 90s, thus his success.

Peyton Manning wasn't from Tennessee.:good!:
Click to expand...

You do know dearth means the exact opposite of what you thought, right?

dearth: an inadequate supply; scarcity; lack: "There is a dearth of good engineers."

edit: Just so you know I'm not trying to sound snide, I just thought you might like to know
 
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#14
#14
Blood Runs Orange said:
Why was Maclin a lock to LSU & why shouldn't he have been interested in UT?

Also, what about this Malone kid? We offered him, but he ended up at Bama?

It goes back to Marlon Brown last year as well (although we still got some good freshmen WRs)

I don't expect us to lock down every talented prospect in Memphis, just think we could be doing a better job than we are currently.
Click to expand...

You're a little late to the game. I'll let you slide and not make you look like a fool this time, but please try to keep up from now on. Starting threads like this is ridiculous when you have no idea what you are talking about.
 
#15
#15
govols182 said:
You're a little late to the game. I'll let you slide and not make you look like a fool this time, but please try to keep up from now on. Starting threads like this is ridiculous when you have no idea what you are talking about.
Click to expand...

agreed.
 
#18
#18
MrBamSeydu said:
haha, You do not know what you're talking about.

Tennessee does not have a "dearth" of HS football talent. Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana all are far deeper top to bottom in HS football talent. Finding a big time recruit in TN is a rarity. Patrick Turner was over rated. Chris Donald is a redshirt sophomore at UT (5-star) and can't break into the 3rd string in our LB corps. He's been moved to DE for 3rd down passing situations only because all he knows to do is run fast towards a QB.

Al Wilson's come around every 10-15 years in TN. Lane Kiffin does not care about TN football recruits just because they are from this state (especially Memphis --- Memphis people hate UT). UT needs to recruit nationally, which is what we're doing. Fulmer was good at it during the mid to late 90s, thus his success.

Peyton Manning wasn't from Tennessee.:good!:
Click to expand...
:lolabove: lulz.
 
#22
#22
Blood Runs Orange said:
Rivals.com Prospect Rankings

I was just looking at this TN state prospect rankings on Rivals and noticed that 7 of TN's top 10 football prospects this year are from Memphis. What's worse, not only are none of them committed to us, but several don't even have us in the "schools in the running" lists. I realize that after the top 7 or 8 the talent appears to drop off somewhat but still.

What is the reason for this? I grew up outside of Knoxville but have lived in Memphis for the last 5 years, and I am very aware of the average East Tennesseean's opinion of Memphis. Are Memphis kids aware of this & this is what keeps us from recruiting this area better?

I really wish this would change. Our state has a dearth of HS football talent compared to some other southern states, and Memphis is by far the best city in our state for producing athletes. I know we are still recruiting Brunetti, but I hope Kiffin & Co. can change this trend because I hate seeing this kids committed to LSU & Bammer!
Click to expand...


IMO, distance the primary issue. 7 SEC schools are closer than Tennessee
 
#23
#23
Blood Runs Orange said:
Rivals.com Prospect Rankings



What is the reason for this? I grew up outside of Knoxville but have lived in Memphis for the last 5 years, and I am very aware of the average East Tennesseean's opinion of Memphis. Are Memphis kids aware of this & this is what keeps us from recruiting this area better?
Click to expand...


Pretty much. Sure distance is always a factor, but the bad blood between the areas are a big factor. even if they aren't initially aware of it they become so through experience. For example, Tiger high jokes turn into contempt from the kids you want to play football for us who happen to be tiger basketball fans.
 
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#24
#24
Start winning big games and going to nationally relevant bowls, and this takes care of itself real fast.
 
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